March 08, 2010, 9:34AM

After making a splash -- or fizzling -- on the Oscar red carpet, several leading ladies traded in their ballgowns for shorter (or in Jennifer Lopez's case, slightly more body-baring) looks at the Vanity Fair after-party. Who upped their style quotient, and whose fashion I.Q. continued to plummet? We've been a big fan of Diane Kruger's red carpet looks... Full story »

March 07, 2010, 10:43PM

"When that was announced, all of us thought the same thing. What's five times two?" -- Oscars co-host Steve Martin, about the decision to expand the best picture category to 10 movies. "I'm Neil Patrick Harris. I know, what am I doing here?" -- Neil Patrick Harris, opening the Oscars. "No one ever recognizes me. I had to tell... Full story »

March 07, 2010, 5:48PM

March 06, 2010, 7:30AM

It is possible for reasonable people to disagree over a film’s merits. (I thought the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy was mostly a snore. So sue me.) But some choices are so bizarre they almost demand a recount. “Cavalcade,” 1932-33. The awards were biennial then – and this respectable Noel Coward adaptation still beat out “I Am a Fugitive... Full story »

March 05, 2010, 7:45AM

March 05, 2010, 7:30AM

I know, sometimes it’s just a thin year. Sometimes sentimentality plays a role. But that doesn’t make miscarriages of Oscar justice any easier to take – especially when, as in these cases, far better actors went without. Paul Muni, best actor, “The Story of Louis Pasteur,” 1936. All beard and fanciful bio, a made-for-Oscar performance – but in the... Full story »

March 05, 2010, 7:30AM

There are all sorts of things that go into winning an actress an Oscar (playing crazy, dowdy, dying -- or all three -- are always popular considerations). But these picks still remain somewhat inexplicable – and hugely unfair. Luise Rainer, best actress, “The Good Earth,” 1937. She did deserve it, the year before, for “The Great Ziegfield.” She did... Full story »

March 04, 2010, 7:31AM

It’s true, sometimes you don’t get the prize you deserve. You get the good-sport award to make up for the one you undeservedly didn’t win – or to cap a solid, unrewarded career. Call these the “for sentimental reasons” statues. Robert Donat, best actor, “Goodbye Mr. Chips,” 1939. The beginning of a famously bad Oscar double-play, as possible sympathy... Full story »

March 03, 2010, 7:28AM

It can be amazing, sometimes, who gets to put “Oscar-winner” before their name. Red Buttons? Yep. Renee Zellweger, too. But what’s really shocking are all the veterans who only got honorary awards – or none at all. Fred Astaire. Perhaps it was his own fault: There simply was no category for magic. But a single nomination (for “The Towering... Full story »

March 02, 2010, 8:03AM

March 02, 2010, 7:32AM

Yes, it’s boring, boring, boring. Except when it isn’t. And any show that has more than 80 annual appearances under its belt, is going to rack up a few oh-no-they-didn’t moments (listed here by the year of the event and/or telecast). Frank Capra’s Oops, 1934. “Come up and get it, Frank” said presenter Lloyd Bacon, and the director jumped... Full story »

March 01, 2010, 7:30AM

Yes, when it comes to the Oscars, the song remains so lame – mostly because voters took forever to recognize rock (let alone soul and rap) and continue to prefer drippy ballads. Still, these picks were really out of tune. “Sweet Leilani,” from “Waikiki Wedding,” 1937. Among the losers that year – the elegantly wistful “They Can’t Take That... Full story »